There is no doubt that, as an attorney, your job is stressful. From the moment you awake to the moment you fall asleep—if you're able to sleep at all—you have to fire on all cylinders.
This constant stress can take its toll on your mental health. If you are struggling with depression, sadness, or thoughts of self-harm, please take a moment to look over the resources for your state. Each resource is totally confidential, so reaching out for help will not have any professional or personal repercussions. Getting help can be the hardest, bravest decision you will ever make. If you don't get help from your state bar, please, get help somewhere.
Update: Many state bar associations have stopped their suicide prevention services. In those cases, we've added resources for general public suicide prevention.
State by State:
Alabama:
For practicing attorneys: https://www.alabar.org/programs/alabama-lawyer-assistance-program/services/
Alaska:
https://alaskabar.org/sections-committees/lawyers-assistance-committee/
Arizona:
Arkansas:
California:
https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Attorneys/MemberServices/LawyerAssistanceProgram
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Nz4Mk4tnU8&list=SPAZ8VCsFP03ojwZ0_qEnb_0K5lR_dKGII&index=1
Colorado:
http://cbaclelegalconnection.com/2015/09/the-colorado-lawyer-suicide-prevention/
Connecticut:
Delaware:
http://www.de-lap.org/confidential.htm
Florida:
Georgia:
http://www.gabar.org/committeesprogramssections/programs/lap/
Hawaii:
Idaho:
https://isb.idaho.gov/member-services/programs-resources/lap/
Illinois:
http://www.illinoislap.org/about-lap
Indiana:
https://www.in.gov/courts/jlaphelps/
Iowa:
http://www.iowabar.org/events/event_details.asp?id=355256
Kansas:
https://sprc.org/states/kansas/
Kentucky:
http://www.kylap.org/?action=home
Louisiana:
https://www.lsba.org/LAP/
Maine:
Maryland:
https://sprc.org/states/maryland/
Massachusetts:
https://www.mass.gov/legal-assistance
Michigan:
https://www.michbar.org/generalinfo/ljap/home
Minnesota:
Mississippi:
https://msbar.org/programs-affiliates/lawyers-judges-assistance-program/signs-symptoms/mentalemotional-health.aspx
Missouri:
https://www.msbar.org/programs-affiliates/lawyers-judges-assistance-program.aspx
Montana:
https://sprc.org/states/montana/
Nebraska:
https://sprc.org/states/nebraska/
Nevada:
https://nvbar.org/for-lawyers/resources/wellbeing/lcl/
New Hampshire:
New Jersey:
New Mexico:
https://sprc.org/states/new-mexico/
New York:
North Carolina:
North Dakota:
http://www.ndhealth.gov/suicideprevention
Oklahoma:
https://www.okbar.org/barjournal/mar2017/obj8808murray/
Oregon:
http://www.oaap.org/2011/Services/Services.aspx
Pennsylvania:
Rhode Island:
https://www.ribar.com/For%20Attorneys/LawyersHelpingLawyers.aspx
South Carolina:
https://www.scbar.org/for-lawyers/membership/member-benefits/lawyers-helping-lawyers/
South Dakota:
https://www.statebarofsouthdakota.com/
Tennessee:
Texas:
Utah:
https://utahsuicideprevention.org/
Vermont:
http://www.lapvt.org/
Virginia:
Washington:
http://www.wsba.org/Resources-and-Services/Lawyers-Assistance-Program
West Virginia:
https://wvbar.org/lawyer-assistance-program-seeking-executive-director/
Wisconsin:
https://www.wisbar.org/forPublic/HelpforLegalProfessionals/Documents/M2098-WisLAP-Brochure.pdf
- YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSt5_oDM0-w
Wyoming:
https://www.wyomingbar.org/wp-content/uploads/Wyoming-Suicide-Prevention-Resource-Guide.pdf
Canada:
https://www.cba.org/our-impact/initiatives/well-being/
Other resources:
https://www.lawyerswithdepression.com/
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
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